Chandigarh, July 1 – In a renewed push to improve the sex ratio in Haryana, the Health and Women and Child Development Departments have launched an intensified state-wide ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’ campaign. As part of this initiative, awareness rallies and marches are being organized in public parks across the state. Each rally prominently displays banners featuring the sex ratio of the respective district, aimed at fostering public engagement and strengthening the social message of valuing the girl child.
Additionally, the Women and Child Development Department is also undertaking dedicated campaigns on the social media handles of all Deputy Commissioners in the state to further amplify the message.
With such persistent efforts, Haryana’s sex ratio has improved to 906 during the period of January 1 to June 30, 2025, up from 904 in the corresponding period last year.
The information was given during the weekly meeting of the State Task Force (STF) for Improving Sex Ratio in Haryana held under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal here today. The meeting focused on intensifying efforts to curb illegal abortions and further improve the state’s sex ratio under the ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’ campaign.
During the meeting, the Additional Chief Secretary mandated intensified enforcement against illegal abortions, with a clear directive for officials to pursue strict punitive action, including cancellation of licence, for any doctors found complicit. In one such recent case, a hospital in Hisar had its MTP (Medical Termination of Pregnancy) licence revoked for illegal abortion activities.
The Additional Chief Secretary directed officials to organize birth registration camps in economically disadvantaged areas and emphasized the need for widespread public awareness campaigns to inform residents about these drives, ensuring that all unregistered children are brought into the official system. The concerned Programme Officers (ICDS) were told to compile lists of unregistered children in consultation with local Anganwadi workers by next week.
The Additional Chief Secretary emphasized enhanced surveillance of Community Health Centres (CHCs) and held Senior Medical Officers (SMOs) accountable for any illegal practices reported in their jurisdictions. He warned that non-compliant SMOs would face disciplinary action, including being barred from leaving their stations, and directed the creation of a blacklist for such officers.
The officials were also directed to keep surveillance on suspected IVF centres carrying out PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing) and indulging in sex-determination activities. The Additional Chief Secretary also directed intensifying action and raids in the districts falling behind in sex ratio.
To curb cross-border sex-selective practices, he called for strengthened inter-district coordination with Delhi, Punjab, and Rajasthan, particularly in border areas where residents may be accessing such services outside Haryana.
Further, incentives will be granted to SAHELIs associated with pregnant women who ensure safe and successful deliveries. On the other hand, SAHELIs linked to cases of abortion will face disciplinary action.
Secretary, Health Department and Mission Director, National Health Mission, Sh. Rippudaman Singh Dhillon, and senior officers of various departments were present in the meeting.
